Residents of Free Area can breathe a sigh of relief after the county government of Nakuru stepped in to move electricity poles that had been conspicuously left in the middle of a newly paved road.

The poles have been moved to their rightful place and the holes in the road have already been repaired.

Mtaa Wangu had previously published a story highlighting the problem after locals took to social media.

Also Read: Residents of Free area shocked by electricity poles in the middle of a newly tarmacked road

The story drew mixed reactions from Nakuru netizens who demanded that the mess be addressed to avert further disasters.

Mirriam* a scrap metal dealer in Free Area, expressed her delight saying that the electricity poles posed a danger to residents if left as they were.

"They came and removed the poles. It shows the power of the people and the media," Miriam said.

Free Area Loop Road in the Free Area Centre.

Photo credit: Bret Sanya/ Mtaa Wangu

A contractor was contracted to tarmac the Free Area Loop Road in the Free Area Centre, a 1.2km road that provides access to Naka Estate and the Free Area market.

Before the poles were removed, Nakuru County Resident Engineer Symon Kariuki had assured that the matter would be addressed.

According to him, the contractor had left a two-metre wide strip to give Kenya Power and Lighting Company (KPLC) space to relocate the lines as per the notice issued.

"All safety measures for pedestrians are in place. We will ensure that the road is clearly marked with speed bumps placed at 50 metre intervals to control speeding motorists along the bypass," said Engineer Kariuki.

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According to the county government, there was an agreement for Kenya Power to relocate the poles, but this was delayed and by the time the contractor started work, the poles had not been removed.

The county government had no choice but to proceed with the contract in line with the end of the financial year.

The tarmacking of the feeder roads is a project by the county government that is aimed at providing a huge economic boost to Nakuru County and, in the long term, significantly increase economic activities in the city centre.

Other areas of focus for the county government include the completion of the tarmacking of the Elburgon frontage road and other access roads to the Salgaa shopping centre.

pmambili@gmail.com

Social media pressure prompts Nakuru county government into action

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Pristone Mambili